Real-Time Location Tracking Using Node Maps and IoT Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large and complex physical facilities, such as offices or buildings, often pose navigation challenges due to their size and layout, and manual updates of user locations are prone to errors, leading to confusion and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a graphical representation of a place on user equipment, such as mobile devices, using data from floor plans, real-time user feedback, and IoT devices to provide up-to-date information on room occupancy and navigation instructions, allowing users to easily locate available workspaces and navigate within the facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual updates of user locations are used, then users can track their positions, but errors and confusion increase due to human forgetfulness and manual input mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and updates user location without requiring manual input. Sensors and tracking devices on user equipment autonomously determine position and notify relevant parties, eliminating human error while maintaining accurate location tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user location through sensors and provides real-time feedback by updating the graphical representation and notifying users and others of location changes, creating a closed-loop system that automatically corrects and maintains accurate position information.
2Measurement precision
If real-time tracking of all users is implemented, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional user equipment that serves both as a communication device and a location tracking sensor. The same device used for normal communication also provides location data, eliminating the need for separate tracking infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical representation acts as an intermediary visual interface that consolidates complex location data from multiple users into an intuitive map view. This mediator translates raw sensor data into actionable visual information, reducing the complexity of processing and presenting location data to end users.
3Loss of information
If continuous updates of location data are performed, then information freshness is improved, but energy consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location updates rather than continuous transmission. Location data is transmitted at regular intervals or when location changes significantly, maintaining information freshness while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The update frequency adapts dynamically based on user movement and context. When users are stationary or in low-activity states, update frequency decreases to conserve energy. When movement is detected or during high-activity periods, updates increase to maintain information accuracy, optimizing the balance between timeliness and energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system described herein may generate visual representations of physical locations, such as floors of office buildings, outdoor areas, or other types of places. The visual representations may be based on a node map, which may be generated based on data received from user devices and/or by owners or proprietors of business or other types of locations. The node map, for a given place, may indicate features of the place, such as architectural features (e.g., doors, walls, or rooms), visible features (e.g., wall hangings, signs, or other landmarks), Radio Frequency (“RF”) footprint features, or other features. The node map may indicate the likelihood of a given user device moving from one node to another node, and these likelihoods may be used to generate navigation instructions.